PERALTA STONES: Maps to Lost Dutchman’s Gold—or Hoax? arizonahighways.com january 2005 Pinal CountyScenery That Makes You Want to Stay Awhile Driving the Historic Apache Trail How to Kiss An Ostrich Fun With the Big Birds The Happiest Valley In the Rincons A Hidden Escape for Hikers and Campers Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Marble Canyon {also inside} Grand Canyon FLAGSTAFF JANUARY 2005 National Park 46 DESTINATION HOLBROOK Riparian Preserve Superstition at Water Ranch PHOENIX Mountains Water birds, not to Gilbert mention fish, find an ideal Rooster Cogburn Happy Valley suburban habitat in the Ostrich Ranch COVER/PORTFOLIO HISTORY PEOPLE town of Gilbert. Kitt Peak National TUCSON 20 32 Observatory 18 42 BACK ROAD ADVENTURE The Landscapes Rock ‘Maps’ Leading to the Gold? A Story of Determined Love POINTS OF INTEREST The winding Apache Trail follows FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE of Pinal County Little evidence supports the authenticity of the Peralta It took persistence and loyalty for Sam and Eloise lakes and mountains east Stones, three inscribed objects that purport to show to overcome obstacles, but a life together was Travelers in this south-central region find it hard of Phoenix. the way to the Lost Dutchman Mine. their reward. not to stop, look and take in all the appealing scenery. 48 HIKE OF THE MONTH Coffee Flat Trail offers a close-up look at the FOCUS ON NATURE ASTRONOMY LOCATION 30 14 Superstition Mountains’ ruggedness. 6 The Rincon Mountains’ Ogling the Ostriches Listen Here, Sunny Boy, 2 LETTERS & E-MAIL They may look like big ol’ dumb birds, but an We Owe You a Lot 3 TAKING THE OFF-RAMP Happiest Valley inquiring writer finds out they’re actually pretty If not for that life-giving, heat-pulsing globe up Explore Arizona oddities, attractions and pleasures. Wedged snugly between two mountain ranges valuable and clever. in the sky, our fate on Earth would be dire, indeed. 40 HUMOR east of Tucson, this scenic and secluded domain is a great getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. 41 ALONG THE WAY 34 TRAVEL Campers overlooking Marble Canyon find an The Parashant Monument unexpected surprise outside their tent. Defines ‘Way Out There’ Dusty, sprawling, lonely and almost beyond {more stories online} at arizonahighways.com remote, this national wildland harbors a few settlers and adventurous visitors. HUMOR BY GENE PERRET Hiding the edible Christmas goodies leaves our author in a state of anxiety. ONLINE EXTRA The Oatman Family Massacre In 1851, two parents and their children suffered at the hands of marauding Apaches. WEEKEND GETAWAY Tucson’s East Side There are three places visitors won’t want to miss: Pima Air and Space Museum, Colossal Cave Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park. EXPERIENCE ARIZONA A listing of major events in the state is available online. {arizona highways on television} [THIS PAGE] Sunrise lights the sky Watch for the weekly half-hour television show inspired by Arizona above the Virgin Mountains in Highways magazine. Independently produced, the show airs at 6:30 P.M. the far northwestern corner of Saturdays in Phoenix (Channel 12) and Flagstaff (Channel 2) and at 4:30 P.M. Arizona, throwing the silhouette Saturdays and Sundays in Tucson (Channel 9). A Spanish version airs of a Joshua tree into spiky relief. at 5 P.M. Saturdays in Phoenix (Channel 33). ROBERT G. MCDONALD Popular TV news anchor Robin Sewell hosts the show. [FRONT COVER] Veterans of many seasons in the Sonoran Desert, these Pinal County saguaro Photographic Prints Each month, prints of some photographs from cacti grace the landscape at the Available Arizona Highways will be offered for sale. The southern edge of the Sacaton selected photos will be noted in the picture Mountains. See portfolio, page 20. captions and will be available in two formats: NEIL WEIDNER Poster Prints: On heavy premium paper stock, these 22 by 28-inch posters [BACK COVER] Decaying plant material creates frothy feature the magazine’s logo in the border. Suitable for framing. $29.95. abstractions where Paige Creek Special Edition Prints: Premium images printed on photographic paper flows through Happy Valley in come matted, ready to frame. About 11 by 14 inches, matted to 16 by 20. $79.95. Coronado National Forest east Prints and a variety of framing options are available online at of Tucson. See story, page 6. www.magazineprints.com. Or call toll-free (866) 962-1191. JACK DYKINGA {letters & e-mail} Arizona Oddities, Attractions and Pleasures {taking the off- ramp } JANUARY 2005 VOL. 81, NO. 1 Publisher WIN HOLDEN Editor ROBERT J. EARLY Senior Editor BETH DEVENY THIS MONTH IN SPECIAL CONTEST COMING “Ain’t” has a valued place in the English language, Managing Editor RANDY SUMMERLIN The Last Ride of Research Editor LORI K. BAKER not only for emphasis or effect, but there are some Watch for our 80th anniversary issue in April. Editorial Administrator CONNIE BOCH a Cowboy Hero ARIZONA You’ll find a contest in which you could win a places where there just isn’t any good substitute. Administrative Assistant NIKKI KIMBEL raft trip for two down the Colorado River through For example, if one wants to say, “Am I not?” there Director of Photography PETER ENSENBERGER ayson old-timers still know Photography Editor RICHARD MAACK the Grand Canyon or entertaining stays at dude isn’t a contraction for it except “Ain’t I?” You can’t the cowboy song about Billy Ten Art Director BARBARA GLYNN DENNEY 1879 ranches near Wickenburg. It’s all part of our say “Amn’t I?” And the commonly used “Aren’t I?” is Vanero. In July 1882, he rode newspapers Deputy Art Director BILLIE JO BISHOP P are published grammatically incorrect (would you say, “I are” or “Are through Mogollon Rim country celebration. Art Assistant PAULY HELLER in Arizona, two I?”). So, for whatever value it has, I have stated my Map Designer KEVIN KIBSEY warning ranchers that renegade of which are in opinion. Arizona Highways Books Apaches were storming up Cherry Spanish, with WitWorks® Books seven debuting Defending ‘Ain’t’ Norman Severance, Chloride Editor BOB ALBANO Creek toward Payson, then Green in the last three Lots of us know that usin’ “ain’t” ain’t good English, Associate Editor EVELYN HOWELL Valley. years. Associate Editor PK PERKIN MCMAHON but them uptight learned fellers what wrote’cha That one word “ain't” will not taint the children of As the story goes, this brave boy Production Director KIM ENSENBERGER (“Letters & E-mail,” August ’04) obviously ain’t got America. Promotions Art Director RONDA JOHNSON left a note in his own blood, telling Wells, Fargo & enough to do to keep ‘em busy and ain’t got no Sometimes, to add “flavor” to the written word, Webmaster VICKY SNOW settlers of the danger. But did Billy 1884 Co. estimates sense of humor (or style) neither. You just keep on rules need to be bent a bit. To those who shudder Director of Sales & Marketing KELLY MERO really exist? Arizona’s gross annual mining writin’ them covers like ya done with that green and cringe from the use of slang, I give this advice: Circulation Director HOLLY CARNAHAN Most believe the story grew output at one there when ya got a point to make. I thought it ”Take off yer dusty blinders. Claw the cotton Finance Director BOB ALLEN out of a poem —“The Last Ride $8,183,743, or was fun, and me and the missus took our old wreck frum those ears of yourn. Try viewing the world as of Paul Venarez,” by Eben $149,221,815 in Fulfillment Director VALERIE J. BECKETT today’s money. up through the Verde Valley right after we seen yer Arizona Highways does. In color!” Information Technology Manager Rexford — published in Youth’s article. Dad gummed if it ain’t green! Michael F. Bruhn, St. George, Utah CINDY BORMANIS Companion magazine Miners in Historical Riches at Wells Fargo Museum Arizona earn Dave Van Dyke, Mesa Thanks to all who weighed in on the controversial FOR CUSTOMER INQUIRIES on December 29, an average of “ain’t” cover line. The poor old editor hasn’t had so OR TO ORDER BY PHONE: 1881. It describes hrough the timbered entrance 1868 stagecoach, an audiotape of $4 per day, Call toll-free: (800) 543-5432 while miners in As I read the protests to the use of the word “ain’t,” much mail since the cacti vs. cactuses controversy In the Phoenix area or outside the U.S., the heroic ride to a short length of mine stagecoach sounds and a narrative Germany garner I was moved to register my vote in defense of that four years ago. Call (602) 712-2000 of Venarez to shaft lie riches from Arizona’s describing a cross-country journey. a mere 40 cents. Or visit us online at: T badly maligned little word. arizonahighways.com warn the town storied mountains: amethyst, Visitors also are welcome to send I am not low-class, crude or uneducated. I have Waterless Gila River For Corporate or Trade Sales: of Crawford silver and one of the state’s largest frivolous messages to each other a master’s degree and am a retired teacher—for a I particularly enjoyed your article (“Pima Baskets,” DOLORES FIELD — no state gold nuggets ever prospected that from the museum’s express office 1897The federal Call (602) 712-2045 government short time even an English teacher. While in the August ’04) on the basket making of the Akimel named — that still exist. Such cargo once shared by telegraph to the railroad station. gives more E-MAIL “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR”: master’s degree program, I wrote a paper in defense O’odham, or River People.